COMMUNISM VS. CAPITALISM
The Cold War was essentially an intense rivalry between two world superpowers: the USA and the USSR. At times this rivalry threatened to break out in war but it never became 'hot'. Instead, both sides tried to use proxies (other countries) to drag each other into wars, postured with nuclear weapons and engaged in espionage (spying).
At at its heart, the Cold War was a competition between two political systems: capitalism and communism. At this point it is important to be even more specific- it was a competition between US-style democratic capitalism and Soviet style communism. For example, the USA, West Germany and South Korea were all capitalist countries throughout the Cold War, but South Korea did not become a truly democratic country until the 1980's. Equally, there were some important differences between the two biggest communist countries, the USSR and China.
Here are the biggest differences between the USA and the Soviet Union:
At at its heart, the Cold War was a competition between two political systems: capitalism and communism. At this point it is important to be even more specific- it was a competition between US-style democratic capitalism and Soviet style communism. For example, the USA, West Germany and South Korea were all capitalist countries throughout the Cold War, but South Korea did not become a truly democratic country until the 1980's. Equally, there were some important differences between the two biggest communist countries, the USSR and China.
Here are the biggest differences between the USA and the Soviet Union:
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The USA
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The USSR
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Summary: freedom of opportunity vs. equality
Beyond this competition between systems, there was a mutual distrust as both sides feared the other wanted to destroy the other.
After WWII, both sides attempted to create their own spheres of influence- loyal allies with shared beliefs and dislike of the other sphere.
Beyond this competition between systems, there was a mutual distrust as both sides feared the other wanted to destroy the other.
- After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the USSR talked openly about spreading communist revolution. This inevitably threatened the West.
- As previously mentioned, Stalin found appeasement threatening and felt obliged to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
After WWII, both sides attempted to create their own spheres of influence- loyal allies with shared beliefs and dislike of the other sphere.
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US view of the Soviet Union
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Soviet view of the USA
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